AIPAC Statement on Kerry's Reported Remarks

The reported remarks on apartheid by Secretary of State John
Kerry on Friday are deeply troubling. Any suggestion that Israel is, or is at
risk of becoming, an apartheid state is offensive and inappropriate. The Jewish
state is a shining light for freedom and opportunity in a region plagued by
terror, hate and oppression.

Israel is the lone stable democracy in the Middle East, and
protects the rights of minorities regardless of ethnicity or religion. The
Jewish state is proud to have a robust free press and elections, respect for
women’s rights, and the representation of minorities across its government,
including the twelve Arab members of its legislature and Salim Joubran on its
Supreme Court.

AIPAC shares President Obama’s perspective that while there
is a political conflict between Israel and the Palestinians that needs to be
resolved, the use of the term “apartheid” to characterize Israel is inaccurate
and unhelpful. As the president said in 2008, “There’s no doubt that Israel and
the Palestinians have tough issues to work out to get to the goal of two states
living side by side in peace and security, but injecting a term like apartheid
into the discussion doesn’t advance that goal. It’s emotionally loaded, historically
inaccurate, and it’s not what I believe.”

At this critical moment, the true focus of those who support
peace should be on urging President Abbas to revoke his destructive agreement
with the terrorist organization Hamas, and continue peace negotiations with
Israel without preconditions.